Electromassage device.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIE J. CIIAPMAN, OF CLUMBUS, o ino, ASSIGNORor ONE-HALF T DENMAN KINSELL, JR., on SAME PLACE.

ELECTROMASSAGE DEVICL,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 683,680, d,td ctber i,1901;

Application filed July 31, 1901.

T0 aZZ wh0m it may cancer-n:

Be it known that I, LEE J. CHAPMN, a citizen -of the United States,residing at Colnmbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, haveinvented a new and useful Electromassage Device, et which the followingis a s pecification.

This invention relates to a novel electromassagedevice designed tofacilitate the making of electrotherapeutic applications to the humanbody.

In faradic medical appliances of ordinary type it is nsual t0 employconductive cords from the induction-oeil to the electrodes in contactWith the body and other cords from the battery-cell to the coi]. Theseconnections are apt to break and shock the patient, and they prevent theelectrodes from being passed continuonsly around the body or around alimb, becanse of the wrappin'g of the eondnctingcords around the treatedmember and the necessity for removing the electrodes from contact Withthe patient until the conducting-cords are unwound.

An important object of the present inventien, therefore, is to prodnce afaradic electromassage implement combining in compact form formanipulation by'one hand the-electrodes, coils, battery, electricalconnections, and current-regnlating mechanism .without the employment ofconducting-cords or other appartenances which would tend in any mannert0 interfere with the continuons manipulation of the instrument for thepnrpose of massaging the patient and simultaneonsly subjecting thetissues to faradization.

A further object of the invention is to provide the instrument withelectrodes arranged t0 encompass the greatest possible amonnt of (issuewithin the electrical field and so arranged that in manipulating thedevice to massage the patient the-tissnes will be subjected alternatelyto the anode and cathode as the device is moved backwardand forward inthe usual manne1.

Another objeet of the invention is to se form the applying-plates orelectrodes that they will be welladapted-for massaging purp0ses, as wellasfor making the necessary electrical contact with"theubody, and willserve to protect and eoncal the electrical Serial No. 70,351. (Nomodal.)

connections mounted on the under side of the base.

A still fnrther object of the invention is to utilize the battery-cellas a handle or grip de tachably secured at the side of: the baseopposite the applying-plates or electrodes and retained in place bymovable arms, which serve as electrical conductors, opening and closingdevices for the primary circuit, and retainipg means for secn rel yholding the battery-cell in position.

Other objeets of the invention are to provide for the regulation of thestrength of the current without breaking the contact between theelectrodes and the body and to subject the patient to the action ofeither a faradic or induced cnrrent or a direct battery-current, asdesired, without interrnpting the treatment.

To the accomplishment of the several objects stated and otherssubordinate thereto,'

all as will herei1iafter more fullyappear, the invention in itspreferred embodiment consists in the construction and arrangement ofparts to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and embraced within the scope ofthe appended claims.

In said drawings, Figure lis et perspective view of my electromassageinstrument com plete and illustrating in dotted lines the manner inwhich the retaining-arms areswnng back to permit the d etachment of thebattery-cell when necessary. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal sectionalview of the subject matter of 1*ig. 1, but showing the battery cell inelevatidn. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view showing the form and relation ofthe electrodes or appling-plates. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3With the electrodeplates removed and showing the arrangement of thewiring, which is housed and protected by the plates. Fig. 5 is a sideelevation of a portion of the instrument looking toward the side thereofopposite to .that shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 6 is a diagrammatical viewillustrating the electrical arrangement of the dovice.

Like characters are employed to designate corresponding parts throughoutthe views.

.1 indicates what may be termed the" base,

which is preferably, though not necessarily, of elliptical form, at theopposite sides of which are located the handle 2 and the applying orelectrode plates 3 and 4, the handle being disposed longitudinally ofthe base and the plates 3 and 4 seing located at the opposite sides ofthe transverse insulating strip 5, which serves to insulate the platesfrom each other. The electrode-plates are dished or of concavo-convexform in Order to ilnpart a smooth ronnded exterior surface lheretoforthe pnrpose-of facilitating their use as massaging and applying surfacesand to provide an interior space between the plates and the base for theinterposition of the wiring and other electrical connections, to behereinafter described.

Thehandle 2 is formed by the cyli11drical ce1l 6 of the battery,removably retained by secring-bands 7 and 8, passed around the cell andscrewed or otherwise secflred to the base 1', as indicated at 9 inFig. 1. The oeil or handle is spaced from the base a sufficient distanceto permit the interposition of the induction-coil 10, the head-blocks 11and 12 of Which are set into the base 1 and constitute supports. for thecombined handle and battery, The induction-coil comprises, as usual, asoftiron ocre 13, a primary coil 1.4, and a secondary coil 15 and hasassociated with it the;usual rheot-ome or interrupter, compris ing aplate 16, (secnred to the block 12 and extended thereabove to form astop opposed to the rar end of the battery or handle,) a Vibratoryspring 17, carrying the armature 18, a contact-screw 19, and abinding-post 20, which latter is mounted upon the base 1 in rear o ftheinduction-coil.

In-carrying out the invention the handle may, ne retained in. place byany suitable rneans; biit inasmch as the handle also constitutes thebatteryI prefer to provide a pair of, angular arms 21 and 22, pivotallymounted upon the base, as by screws 23 23", adjacent to its iront endand designed to be swung into engagement With the binding-.. screws 24and 25, extending beyond the front; endof the:cell and ineltricalconnection with positive and. negative elementsas, for; instance, thecarbon and zinc plates of the -battery.

. The upper ends of the arms 22 are proxiided opening and. closingdevices for the primary circuit, since it will be seen that by swingving:either of these amis out. of contactwitlr its binding-post thebattery-circuit will be' opened and that by swinging both armsback tothe positions indicated in dottcd linesin Fig. 1 the cell is releascdand may be withbinding post 20 of the interrupter.

post 25 of the battery.

drawnfrom its bauds and anotheniserted in lieu thereof, as occasion mayrequire.

Upon the base,at one side of the inductioncoil, ismonnted acurrent-selector switch 27, swinging on a binding-post 28 in clectricalconnection with the electrode-plate 3 through the medium of acontact-swing 29, mounted npon the base in contact with the plate andconnected to one end of the wire a, the other end of which is connectedto the bindingpost 28. At opposite sides of the selector switch aremounted binding-posts 30 and 31, constituting the opposite terminals ofthe secondary coil, the terminal wires 17 and 0 of which are connectedto the posts, as indi cated in Fig. 4. The primary circuit isestablished through the primary wre (1, led, as indicated in Fig. 4,from the screw 23 to the One end 6 of the primary wire leading from theprimary coil 14 is led into contact with the plate 16 of theinterrupter, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 6, and is then extended, asindicated at f, to the contact-spring 32, mounted upon the base in amanner-similar to the plate 29, but contacting with the electrode-plate4. The primary wire g leading from the opposite end of the primary coilis electrically connected with the binding-post 30, from whence is led awire h, having electrical connection with the screw 23. cuit may betraced as follows: from the bind ing-post 24 of thebattery, through thearm 21, wire-=d, thence through the interrupter, wir'e e, primary coil14:, wire 9, to binding post 30, wire 72, and 'arm 22, to the binding=Supposing now that a direct battery current is required, theselector-switch 27 is moved into contact with ing through the. portionofthe body in Con- .gtact with the electrodes. hand,a faradiccurrentisdesi1ed, the switch :27 is moved into contact with the binding post 31,and the circuit will thon be asfol lows: electrode 3, wire a,'switch 27,secondary wire-c, thence through the secondary coil ,I5j, wire b, andbindingpost 30. The faradic ,current will thence pass into. the-primary,wire h, through the battery, (assnining that the resistance of thebattery is less than the resistance-of the primary coil,) thenee throughthe wire d to the interrupter, and through the wire f to the electrode 4for diffusion. At the same time the primary or exciting circuit Will bemaintained as has been heretofore traced; It willthns be evident thateither a directbattery-currt or a faradie cnrrent ;may 'be ntilized,asdesired, in the treatment of the patient, and it-only-remains to statethat When a faradic current is Utilized its Il, on the other The primarycir strength may be regulated accnrately and without removing theelectrodes from contact With the patient. This regulation is effected bymeansof the usual core-cover or regulating-sleeve 33, slidably mountednpon the core 13 of the induction-il and provided with a handle 34,preferably formed from wire and connected to the front end of thesleeve, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 5.

The handle is carried to one side of the induction-il and is then passedrearwardly and provided With a 100p or other finger-piece 34, locatedopposite the induction-il and designed to be guided by a guide 35,formed bya double strand of wire extending between the head-blocks 11and 12. It is alSo contemplated to utilize the device for unipolar andextension bipolar applications with conducting-cords, and the base istherefore pro- Vided at the side opposite the selector-switch withbinding-posts 36 and 37, electrically connected With the apparatus-as,for instance, by wires 13 and la, leading from the binding posts to thewires a and f. These bindingposts are designed for the connection of theconductingcords for the unipolar and extension bipolar applications andrender the apparatus capable of doing all that the usual forms ofordinary medical induction-coils can do in addition to those specialobjects which have bee1i-heretoiore pointed out.

From the foregoing it Will appear that the electrode-plates 3 and 4; areshaped With special reference to their utilization as massage dvics andthat by their location at the opposite ends of the base the movement ofthe instrument in the direction of its major axis Will bring a largeamount of tissus within the electrical field and Will Subject italternately to the positive and negative polarity by the successiveproximity of the anode and cathode, which is a feature of vastimportance in electrotherapeutic massage treatments. It Will also appearthat the instrument is of small and compact form and capable of beingmanipulated continuously and without interruption for the purpose ofregulating th cur rent or of selecting a faradic or constant batterycnrrent, as desired, and that While the instrument may be used forunipolar and extension bipolar applications all electrical connectionsare ordinarily inclosed and protected between the base and theelectrodeplates, With the exception of the circuit breaker orinterrupter at one end of the handle and the retaining and conductingarms at the oppo site end thereof.

It is thought that from the foregoingthe construction, arrangement, andmany advantages of the invention will be clearly understood; but whilethe present embodiment or the invention is thought at this time to bepreferable I do not wish to limit myself to the structural detailsdefined, as, on the contrary,I reserve the ri ght to efiect suchchanges, modifications, and variations as may be fairly constitutingahandle for the device, and an electrical circuit including the batteryand having its terminals connected With the plaies.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination With a base,01 electrodeplates located at one side thereof, and a battery located atthe opposite side thereof, and constituting a handle for the device, andan induction-il disposed between the handle and base and in circuit Withthebattery and electrode-plates, respectiVely.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination With a base,and electrodeplates disposed opposite its under face, of a batteryarranged opposite the upper face of the base and constituting a handleforthe device, an induction-il looated between the battery and base,suitable electiical connections between the battery, induction-il andelectrode-plates, and a selectorswitch disposed to establish electricalconnection With the plates and battery to produce a directbattery-current, or to place said plates in 'circuit With theinduotiomcoil to iriducea faradic current. r

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a base,and electrodes disposed opposite one side thereoi, of a batteryeonstitutin'g a handle disposed at the opposite side thereof, andelectrical connections between the electrodes and battery, saidconnections including a retaining device for the battery.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination with a baseand electrodes disposed at one side thereof, of a battery lo cated atthe opposite side thereof and consti= tuting a handle, and electricalconnections between the battery and electrodes, said connectionsincluding apair of conductive retaining-arms engaging the binding-postsof the battery to retain the latter in place.

'7. In a device of the character described, the combination with a base,and electrodes, of a battery detachably associated With the base andconstituting a handle therefor, and electrical connectionsbetweenthebacteryand electrodes, said connections including a pair ofswinging arms mounted on the base and engaging the binding-posts 01: thebattery, whereby said arms constitute electrical con- IIO ductors,retaining devices for the battery, and means for opening and closng thebattery-circuit.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with a base,and a pair of electrode-plates secured no one side thereof, andinsulated'from each other, of a battery disposed at the opposite side ofthe base and constituting a handle for the device, an induction-ilinterposed between the handle and :ihe base, and electrical connectionsbetween (lie battery, induction-il and electrodeplates, sad connectionsincludingwiring:inclosed between the electrode-plates and the base.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination With abaseand electrodeplates disposed at one side thereof, ofa battery locatedai; the opposite side of the base and constituting a handle for thedevice, an indction-coil interposed between the battery and the base,suitable connectionsbetween the battery, induction-il, and electrodeplates, a regulator sleeve slidably mounted on the core of the.induction-il, and a handle for said regulator-sleeveloeated at one sideof the induction-mil.

10. In a devise of the oharacterdescribed,

. the combination with a base, and elecorodeplates disposcd at one sidethereof, of a battery disposed at the opposite side of the base andconstituting a handle for therdevice, an

battery disposed longitudinally of the base ai: one side thereof andconstituting a handle for the device,' electrodeplates iocaced abtheends of .the base a}; the opposite side thereof, and eleotricalConnections bet.ween the battery and plates, the relative arrangement ofthe plates With respect to the handle serving t0 snbject the tissuesover which the instrument is passed to positive and negativepolarity insuccession.

12. In a device of thecharacter described, the combination With abase,of concavo-convex massage and electrode plates disposed at one sidetherecf andinsulated frome'ach oiaher, a battery disposed attheoppositesde of the base and constituting a handle, and electricalconnections between the:batter and said plates.

13. In adevice of.the characterdescribed, the zombi-nation with abase-,of electrodeplates located at one side thereof and a secondarycoil'disposed ai; the opposite sideof the base and'secured thereto, abattery-sup ported u.pon said coil and constituting ahand-lefor thedevice, retaining-bandS sectred to thebase and passed'around thebattery,' electrical connections between the batte-ry,* induction coiland eleotrode plates, and swi r1ging retainingarms comprising elementsof the electrical connections-and arrangedto engage the binding-posts ofthe -batteryto:re= tain the same in position within thebands.

14. In a device of 1he character described, the combination with a base,of electrodeplates at one side thereof, a battery removably mounted ai;the opposite side thereof and constituting ahandlefor =clIe device,elctrical connections between the .batteryand the plaies, andretainingdevices: opposed '.to the opposite ends-ofthe battery, oneof.said retainingdcvices being movable"to release the battery forthepurpose of permiLtingit-S withdrawal.

In :testimony that I claimihe foregoingas my own Thavehereto aflixedmysignature in the presence of two witnesscs.:

' LEE J. CHAPMAN;

Nitnesses:

J. N. KOERNER, A. .J. .THATCEER.

